The document discusses Buddhist perspectives on death from the Dalai Lama and other Buddhist texts. It describes the process of death according to Buddhism as the dissolution of the elements in the body over eight stages. It also explains that one's state of mind at the time of death can influence the quality of one's next rebirth, so it is important to cultivate peace in life in order to die peacefully. Further, Buddhism holds that the mind is reborn in a new being after death, with the type of rebirth influenced most strongly by one's karma.

1. We can all agree that the fear of death is the most fundamental fear
that all humans face in their lives. We may try to forget our
uncertainty as to what happens in the afterlife, but the fear is ever
present, always just below the surface.
What do Buddhists have to say about this wholly natural yet
seemingly undesirable event in which all human life culminates?
There is a rare excerpt of one of the Dalai Lama’s speeches from
1994 where he shares his perspective on what happens when you
die.
He offers practical advice at the end on how to live a virtuous life
to prepare for the final reckoning.
The Dalai Lama describes the process of death
(He explains what happens when you die)
“As a Buddhist, I view death as a normal process, a reality that I
accept will occur as long as I remain in this earthly existence.
Knowing that I cannot escape it, I see no point in worrying about it.
I tend to think of death as being like changing your clothes when
they are old and worn out, rather than as some final end. Yet death
is unpredictable: We do not know when or how it will take place.
So it is only sensible to take certain precautions before it actually
happens.
“The process of dying begins with the dissolution of the elements
within the body. It has eight stages, beginning with the dissolution
of the earth element, then the water, fire and wind elements. The
The Dalai Lama
on death
( What happens when
you die )

2. color: appearance of a white vision, increase of the red element,
black near-attainment, and finally the clear light of death.”
“There is no way to escape death; it is just like trying to escape by
four great mountains touching sky. There is no escape from these
four mountains of birth, old age, sickness and death.
Ageing destroys youth, sickness destroys health, degeneration of
life destroys all excellent qualities and death destroys life. Even if
you are a great runner, you cannot run away from death. You
cannot stop death with your wealth, through your magic
performances or recitation of mantras or even medicines.
Therefore, it is wise to prepare for your death.”
“From a Buddhist point of view, the actual experience of death is
very important. Although how or where we will be reborn is
generally dependent on karmic forces, our state of mind at the time
of death can influence the quality of our next rebirth. So at the
moment of death, in spite of the great variety of karmas we have
accumulated, if we make a special effort to generate a virtuous
state of mind, we may strengthen and activate a virtuous karma,
and so bring about a happy rebirth.”
(The Dalai Lama writes about consciousness in the fascinating
book, Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying: An Exploration of
Consciousness.)
“We cannot hope to die peacefully if our lives have been full of
violence, or if our minds have mostly been agitated by emotions
like anger, attachment, or fear. So if we wish to die well, we must
learn how to live well: Hoping for a peaceful death, we must
cultivate peace in our mind, and in our way of life.”
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( Extract from Ideapod )
The Buddhist View of Death

3. Buddhism says that when we die the mind that has been developed
and conditioned for this life re-establishes itself in a new being.
The new individual will then grow a new personality that is
conditioned by those life circumstances. This process of dying and
re-establishing itself continue until one reaches Nirvana – a state of
enlightenment that does not desire or crave but simply lives in
peace and with love.
How does the mind go from one body to another?
When one is dying, they will lose control of their mental processes.
During this time, the actions and habits in their memories are
released. Depending on this person’s karma, they will begin to see
images, which will either be frightening images, or images of
loved ones or scenic beauty. Even though the physical body is
weak, they may cry out these visions.
When the body breaks down at the point of death, these energies
are released as mental energy. Energy cannot be destroyed and
therefore, this energy has to re-establish itself in a new body.
It’s almost like radio waves which are made of energy at different
frequencies, which travel through space to be picked up by a
suitable receiver.
Is one always reborn as a human being?
According to Buddhism, there are several different realms one can
be transported to. Some may be reborn as animals, while others
humans. Nothing in the universe is permanent, and therefore this
state of existence cannot last forever and rebirth occurs over and
over again.
What decides where we will be reborn?
The most important factor, according to Buddhist texts, is karma.
Karma is more complex than simply you reap what you sow. There
are 11 laws of karma that go through different factors such as your
effort, your kindness to others and your intention. Thus, the gentle,
loving type of person shall be reborn in a heavenly realm or as a
human being in a comfortable environment.